As stated in the nymph section, the Light Cahills live in fast water runs and riffles. When they get near their hatch time and get ready to emerge they move to mover moderate to slow moving water that's very near the fast water they live in during their one year life cycle. Usually this is only a few feet at the most. Once their are ready to hatch, they wiggle themselves to the surface to emerge in the skim. There their wing pad splits, out come the wings and finally the body and tail.

They can begin hatching in the early afternoon around 2:00 PM at the first of their hatch period but the warmer it gets, the later in the day they hatch. On clear, very warm days the hatch occurs very late, near sunset. The emerger stage of the hatch is a very short one, the hatch lasting only about an hour under normal circumstances. Once they reach the surface, the nymphs change into a dun in a relatively short time.

Presentation:Emerger imitations work best if they are presented in the current seams at theedges of the fast water runs and riffles. The best procedure is to use a short up and across presentations. Both the plain Light Cahill Emerger and the Light Cahill Emerger with the trailing shuck should float flush with the surface of the water.

The plain emerger usually works best but it is more difficult to fish because it is more difficult to see on the water. The top of the CDC wings should float flush with the surface of the water with the body of the fly hanging down in an almost upright position.

The trailing shuck emerger floats flush with the surface but level with the surface. It shouldn't be treated with floatant like a dry fly because you want the fly to float low in the water like the real emerging Light Cahills.

If the water is very clear, you may need to go to a light leader and tippet. Most of the time a 5X tippet works fine but the leader should be at least 9 foot long in most cases. You can get by with a 7 and a half foot leader in some pocket water streams.